[Changes in renal echogenicity in pediatric obstructive uropathies]

Renal cortical echogenicity of 40 children with obstructive uropathies was analysed in relation to the grade of obstruction and thinning of the renal cortex. In 35 percent of the children an increase in echogenicity was noted. The increase in cortical echogenicity paralleled the grade of dilatation of the intrarenal collecting system and the grade of thinning of the renal cortex. Evaluation of the cortical echogenicity should be integrated into the primary diagnostic setup as well as into the follow-up of children suffering from obstructive uropathies.